Feeling very much at home on our mooring in Bonaire, we knew deep down it was time to move on — even if my heart disagreed. Unfortunately, our parcel from Germany had other plans and was still reenacting a Phileas Fogg–style 80-day-around-the-world adventure, complete with an extended stay in Bogotá, Colombia.

After countless hotline calls and creative attempts to convince other sailors heading to Panama to smuggle it aboard, Mark tried the final level: the UPS office at Flamingo Airport in Kralendijk. Against all odds — and everything we’d been told on the phone — this actually worked. Not only could the parcel be redirected, but it could also be held in Curaçao for us to pick up. Victory! (We hope!)

With renewed motivation, we flew the kites one last time in Bonaire and then set sail. For me a slightly emotional good-bye. Thirty-five nautical miles later, we arrived in Spanish Waters, one of the largest natural harbors in the world and a place that has sheltered ships since the age of pirates, traders, and questionable navigation decisions.

After organising a car-rental, we began exploring, starting with the Hato Caves and Willemstad. The Hato Caves are part of a cave system stretching over four kilometers and were once used by enslaved people from the nearby Hato plantation as a hiding place. Today, visitors can explore a small section of the caves, which are decorated with impressive limestone formations. The caves are also home to several species of bats, including the long-nosed fruit bat. Cute and tiny!

Naturally, we also went to see the famous Queen Emma Bridge. Built in 1888, this floating pontoon bridge connects the two halves of Willemstad and opens by calmly floating off to one side when ships pass through — a maneuver so elegant it earned her the nickname “The Swinging Old Lady.”

The rest of the day involved a bit of island cruising and a textbook beach afternoon (mainly enjoyed by the boys), while simultaneously trying to figure out everything that still needs doing before Panama and the Galápagos — preferably without forgetting anything important again.

Since it was Sunday, we only heard yesterday that the parcel had finally left Bogotá. Whether it actually made it to Curaçao remains a mystery. Fingers crossed we’ll be reunited today, Monday. If all goes well, we’d love to catch the current weather window and head for the San Blas tomorrow — otherwise, it’s probably another week of enforced island life.

Annoying, yes — but honestly, there are much worse places to be stuck.